The International Society of Automation (www.isa.org) is a nonprofit professional association that sets the standard for those who apply engineering and technology to improve the management, safety, and cybersecurity of modern automation and control systems used across industry and critical infrastructure. Founded in 1945, ISA develops widely used global standards; certifies industry professionals; provides education and training; publishes books and technical articles; hosts conferences and exhibits; and provides networking and career development programs for its 40,000 members and 400,000 customers around the world.

ISA owns Automation.com, a leading online publisher of automation-related content, and is the founding sponsor of The Automation Federation (www.automationfederation.org), an association of non-profit organizations serving as “The Voice of Automation.” Through a wholly owned subsidiary, ISA bridges the gap between standards and their implementation with the ISA Security Compliance Institute (www.isasecure.org) and the ISA Wireless Compliance Institute (www.isa100wci.org).

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ISA awarded me a 2013-2014 scholarship to help fund my education. I would not have been able to keep going to school if I had not received it. So, I want to give thanks to the many people of the ISA who work on securing the future of the organization just as the original founders had. ISA was and is forged and founded from true honesty and integrity that you will not find in to many other professions.

Make a difference in a girl’s life by introducing her to engineering

Get involved in Girl Day, 26 February 2015

Research Triangle Park, North Carolina, USA (10 February 2015) – Since 1982, women have earned almost 10 million more college degrees than men. Yet, today, only 11 percent of practicing engineers are women, a stunning disparity that is robbing America of innovation, creativity and diverse thinking, and most women of the higher salaries available in the engineering field.

The International Society of Automation (ISA) and its umbrella organization, The Automation Federation, support initiatives that encourage girls and young women to pursue education and careers in science, technology, engineering and mathematics (STEM).

One of these initiatives is Girl Day, an annual celebration of girls’ interests and aptitude in STEM education and potential in STEM-related career fields. While Girl Day—which this year will be recognized on Thursday, 26 February—brings with it varied opportunities for single-day events and activities across the US, it represents a much broader, sustained effort.

Girl Day, one of many programs sponsored by DiscoverE (formerly the National Engineers Week Foundation), is designed to spur national awareness around the importance of attracting more females to engineering and automation, and inspire more personal and community-based involvement in introducing girls to the marvels and excitement of STEM learning. (Read how you can get involved in Girl Day by clicking here and reading further down in this press release.)

“Girl Day is an opportunity for ISA and Automation Federation members, as well as other engineers and automation professionals, to make a difference in a girl’s life by showing her the road to a rewarding and engaging career,” says Peggie W. Koon, Ph.D., the 2014 ISA President and 2015 Chair of the Automation Federation who has more than 25 years of experience as an automation professional and executive. “As professionals in the field, we can share our own personal stories of exploration, discovery and accomplishment.”

Drawing on her own personal and professional experiences, Dr. Koon encourages engineers and automation professionals to: provide support and mentoring; work to counteract stereotypes and misconceptions; and become more active in your local schools and community.

Provide support and mentoring

“I grew up in a household of engineers and automation professionals,” Dr. Koon says. “Two of my brothers majored in electrical, chemical, and mechanical engineering and the other brother is a physicist. My sister and I watched our brothers pursue exciting STEM careers and followed in their footsteps. They encouraged us to major in STEM fields and to pursue jobs in engineering and automation. They mentored us throughout the entire process. It was important for my sister and me to have this encouraging support system because at the time most of the women we knew, including our older sisters, were pursuing professional careers in the liberal arts.”

Girls and young women, she emphasizes, need and deserve this same level of encouragement and mentoring today, whether it comes from family, friends or advisors.

“The power of example is evident in my family now,” Dr. Koon says. “I have a seven-year-old granddaughter who sports her red Goldie Blox hoodie jacket and who owns several of the Goldie Blox engineering building sets, books, and the Goldie Blox action figure. If you ask her, she will tell you her favorite subject in school is math and that she is going to be a director of engineering when she grows up!”

Work to counteract stereotypes and misconceptions

The stereotype that boys are better than girls in math and science often negatively affects girls’ self-confidence in STEM subjects and inhibits their pursuit of advanced STEM learning.

“While president of ISA, I would often receive emails from girls and women who were interested in STEM careers,” Dr. Koon informs. “Many of them, although they were ‘A’ students, lacked the confidence to pursue a college degree. They also often had little confidence in a workplace that they felt preferred to fill open engineering positions with their male counterparts.

“In every case,” she says, “I would encourage these women to follow their dreams. Yes, I do believe there are some stereotypes and misconceptions on both sides of the gender equation. And for years, images and messages through the media commonly portrayed engineering and automation as male-dominated fields. I am encouraged, though, that some of the latest promotional spots on television and on the Web feature young women talking about their excitement and the importance of becoming an engineer.

“Regardless, girls and young women need to clearly recognize that they can excel in STEM-related careers and there are equal opportunity positions in STEM fields. Because women address and think about problems differently, we often add a different perspective that can lead to innovative results and greater organizational value.”

Become more active in your local schools and community

“To make an impression on young people, we need to go to where they learn and gather,” Dr. Koon asserts. “We must engage with them, most notably, at their schools, but also at community gatherings and events. Contact school administrators and educators about how to start a program or educational event that communicates the value of engineering or automation.”

Make every effort, she says, to utilize interactive technology—such as video games, mobile apps, and social media sites—to capture and maintain interest, and to promote the fun and excitement of STEM learning.

“It’s particularly important to tap into young people’s imagination. Begin by introducing them to websites, such as Engineer Girl, Girl Day and Goldie Blox. They make it clear that engineering can be fun, exciting and rewarding.”

Begin your involvement by celebrating Girl Day

Developing or participating in a Girl Day event or activity is a great way to kick off your involvement. Not sure where to start? The Girl Day website has lots of ideas. Some of them include:

Inviting a girl to shadow you at work

Mentoring a group of middle or high school girls

Hosting a Girl Day event

Making a presentation about engineering at a middle or high school career day

Hosting a lunch or dinner for a group of girls

Volunteering as a judge for a science and engineering fair

Conducting hands-on engineering demonstrations with a group of girls

Other ways to spread the word:

Tell a Friend. Do your colleagues, friends and family know about Girl Day? Share your passion for getting more girls involved in engineering.

Order your free Girl Day poster. Display this lively and engaging poster on campus, in your office, hallway or lab. Click here to get an Engineers Week Volunteer kit.

Write an article promoting engineering’s vital role in the world for newsletters published by local schools. Publicize your plans and activities in the DiscoverE calendar.

About the Automation Federation

The Automation Federation is a global umbrella organization of sixteen (16) member organizations and six working groups engaged in automation activities. The Automation Federation enables its members to more effectively fulfill their missions, advance the science and engineering of automation technologies and applications, and develop the workforce needed to capitalize on the benefits of automation. The Automation Federation is the "Voice of Automation." For more information about the Automation Federation, visit www.automationfederation.org.

About ISA

Founded in 1945, the International Society of Automation (www.isa.org) is a leading, global, nonprofit organization that is setting the standard for automation by helping over 30,000 worldwide members and other professionals solve difficult technical problems, while enhancing their leadership and personal career capabilities. Based in Research Triangle Park, North Carolina, ISA develops standards; certifies industry professionals; provides education and training; publishes books and technical articles; and hosts conferences and exhibitions for automation professionals. ISA is the founding sponsor of The Automation Federation (www.automationfederation.org).

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